FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Should a CS or IS major complete the general education requirements before beginning CSIS coursework?

Do not finish general education requirements first! It is very important that CS and IS majors begin CSIS classes early, preferably before the end of the freshman year. Upper division CSIS courses have many prerequisites. If you wait until your junior year to begin taking CSIS classes, you will delay your graduation while you complete these prerequisites. Enroll in CSIS 2300 and 2301 early in your program of study.

What is the maximum course load for which I can enroll each semester?

The maximum number of credit hours allowed for students with a cumulative grade point average under 3.5 is eighteen credit hours, and the maximum number of credit hours allowed for students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher is twenty one credit hours.

Has a limit been placed on the total number of classes from which I can withdraw?

Students may withdraw from one or more courses anytime before the last three weeks of the semester. However, as of Fall 2004, students will be allowed a maximum of eight total withdrawals if they enter KSU as a freshman. Transfer students will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted, for a maximum of eight. Students who to pursue a second degree at KSU will be allowed two additional withdrawals. Students who entered KSU before Fall 2004 will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted. To withdraw, students should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses before mid-semester will receive a W in those courses and receive no credit. They will not however suffer academic penalty. Students who officially withdraw after mid-semester (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a WF, which will be counted as an F in the calculation of their grade point average. The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances, which are fully documented. Students may appeal to the academic standing committee for consideration of unusual circumstances.

My major is currently listed as undecided but I know that I will major in IS or CS. Should I update my academic records to reflect my current choice of major?

It is important that your academic records reflect your current choice of major for the following reasons:

• Without a major, you cannot be assigned a departmental advisor; without an advisor you cannot get the necessary signatures for directed studies, internships, course substitutions, etc.
• If you are not declared as a CS or IS major, you will receive the lowest priority for a seat in a closed CSIS class.
• Only declared majors (CS or IS) are eligible for CSIS cooperative education and internships.
• Only declared majors (CS or IS) are eligible for CSIS directed studies
• By declaring your major, you help the CSIS department accurately estimate the number of sections and seats needed to support enrollment.
• By declaring your major you help bring resources to the program in which you are enrolled.
• CS and IS majors are eligible to receive job announcements that are posted by the department.

If you are pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Information Systems, and are not currently declared as a CS or IS major, complete this change of major form as soon as possible.

When a CSIS class is full, how can I request an overload?

Given the importance of careers in technology, CSIS classes often close early in registration -- frequently even during pre-registration. Therefore, between pre-registration and regular registration, the department makes every effort to create new classes and make room for students who need classes. It is also often possible for students to add a previously full class during drop-add. In addition, sometimes it is possible for a student, in concert with his/her advisor, to identify appropriate courses to substitute for required courses. If you wish to seek permission to overload a full class, please follow these procedures:
 

Step 1:  Continue to try to add the class during phase 3 registration (drop/add).
Step 2:  Fill out this online overload request form.
Step 3:  If the department chair approves the overload, permission will be granted in the registration system.
Step 4:  You will be sent an e-mail message indicating that you must register for the course for which the overload was approved.

 

What happened to CSIS 3400

CSIS 3400 was replaced by MATH 3400. You must now take MATH 3400 if CSIS 3400 was required in your degree program.

Can I use IT courses as major electives in my program of study?

If your major is Information Systems or Computer Science, you may not use IT courses as major electives. IT courses may be used as free electives by IS and CS majors. All KSU students may use IT courses for free elective credit.

What is a directed study?

Directed studies are projects and research organized by CS or IS majors with one of the CSIS professors. Usually students initiate directed studies by identifying a topic not yet covered in the CSIS curriculum or by identifying an appropriate project.
 

Step 1:  The student should contact a faculty member to discuss the possibility of completing such a study.
Step 2:  If the faculty member and the student agree, and if the student has a GPA of at least 3.0, then a short description of the proposed directed study should be distributed to all CSIS faculty.
Step 3:  CSIS faculty need about 2 weeks to review the proposal. If the directed study proposal is approved, the student should complete a directed study form (available in the CSIS office) and attach the proposal to it.
Step 4:  After all signatures are collected, the form is forwarded to KSU's registrar. The registrar then makes CSIS 4400 available.
Step 5:  Student should register for CSIS 4400.

Click here for more information about directed studies.

How does cooperative education work in CS and IS?

Cooperative education is an important part of student preparation for a career in computing. There are many high-paying opportunties with flexible work schedules, as well as benefits, available for interested students. Every CS or IS major should seriously consider participating. For more information, contact the CSIS department coordinator, Professor Ben Setzer, or the KSU director of cooperative education, Julie Cravens, or visit the KSU Career Services Center. Co-operative Education (CSIS 3396) and Internship (CSIS 3398) can only be used to fulfill free elective credit in the CS and IS undergraduate programs.

How are transfer credits evaluated?

Students transferring to KSU have often completed computing classes at another institution.  These classes will be evaluated in the following manner:
 

Step 1:  The admissions office reviews computing classes, along with all other transferring courses, looking for KSU equivalent course numbers. At this point, most transfer CSIS classes are listed as CSIS 2290 or 4490, indicating that free elective credit has been awarded.  
Step 2:  Make an appointment with a faculty advisor so that these 2290's & 4490's may be further evaluated and substituted for required courses. Click here to identify your advisor and see faculty office hours.
Step 3:  Student should bring catalogs from the previous institution(s) or other documentation for each course being evaluated by the CSIS advisor.
Step 4:  Course substitution forms will be completed for all qualified classes.
 

Because this process sometimes takes place during the first term enrolled, it is important that transfer students see a CSIS advisor prior to the first registration.  At this time, the faculty advisor may grant the student permission to override prerequisites in order to register for a course.  For example, if a student has taken Programming I at Southern Polytech and wishes to take Programming II at KSU, then a prerequisite override is needed in order for registration to occur properly.

Is it possible to bypass a course prerequisite? 

As a transfer student, you may occasionally encounter registration blocks based on classes you took at your prior university. If this is the case, please fill out this online form with complete information as requested. You should then try to register again for the desired class within 2 business days.

How are faculty advisors assigned?

CS and IS majors should meet with a CSIS faculty advisor at least once a year.  Faculty advisors are assigned according to major. Please schedule an appointment to coincide with your advisor's office hours, if possible.

I already have a college degree, but I want to pursue a career in technology.  Should I work on a second bachelor's degree or pursue the MSIS?

Students who already have a bachelor's degree should consider pursuing the MSIS rather than completing a 2nd bachelor's degree.  The MSIS is designed for working professionals who wish to change careers or advance their careers in IT.  Prerequisite knowledge can be obtained in many ways: undergraduate courses (that may also count towards the bachelor's degree), continuing education courses, and documented work experience. See the MSIS web page for more information.

What are some typical careers for a CS or IS major?

Careers in technology are abundant. National and international forecasts indicate that the trend towards more jobs and more new job descriptions will continue into the forseeable future. Atlanta is sometimes considered the "silicon valley" of the southeast, so there are many opportunities available locally.

KSU offers five degree programs in support of these job opportunities: BS-CS, BS-IS, MSIS, and MSACS. Job titles include much more than programmer and system analyst. Others include Internet applications developer, Webmaster, document manager, software support technician, system administrator, project leader, data warehouse designer, software engineer, system architect, technical trainer and many others. Starting salaries are in the low 40's.

What is the Advisory Board?

The Computer Science and Informations Systems Advisory Board (CSIS AB) was commissioned in 1993. The first board was composed of industry leaders from IBM, Lockheed, National Delta Corp, Equifax, American Software, Life of Georgia, AT&T Bell Labs, United Family Life Insurance, Delta Air Lines, and Hewlett Packard.

Meeting once per quarter, the CSIS AB provides advice and leadership in computer-related degree programs. Board recommendations are an integral part of continuous curriculum improvement in Computer Science and Information Systems programs. In particular, the CSIS AB provides

• leadership models to students in CS, IS, and business
• real-world information about the skills needed to succeed
• current information about actual business practices.

The board also gives industry leaders a voice in the educational process. Board members have access to top KSU students. Finally, the board provides a neutral forum for discussion of issues related to the field of computing.

CSIS AB organizations have included:

• Army Research Labs
• Automated Logic, Inc.
• Ernst & Young
• Georgia Department of Administrative Services
• Georgia Pacific
• Great!
• HBOC
• Heidelberg USA
• Hewlett-Packard
• Lanier Worldwide
• Lockheed Martin
• Luminant
• MCI
• OMICRON
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• Scientific Atlanta Inc.
• Systems Management Resources Inc
• Windsor Group